REDS striker Wayne Rooney needs to be protected by England, according to Trevor Francis.

The former England star was a teenage prodigy himself, and admits he is worried that the United wonderkid's development on the international stage is at risk because of the formation changes undertaken by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"We have to be careful with Wayne Rooney," Francis told the Mirror.

"He's 19 years of age and his development has been extraordinary. He really is a fantastic talent.

"He is the type of player who needs to be wrapped up in cotton wool, not pushing from from one position to another.

"Against Denmark he was our best player coming in from deep positions.

"Then to play him as a lone striker, then out wide to the right, I don't think it's on.